MOCA meets endowment goal, sets another

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Jeffrey Deitch leaves MOCA

Following three tumultuous years that saw much public criticism and a number of board defections, Deitch announced in July his departure as director of the Museum of Contemporary Art in Los Angeles. In November, the museum said that Maria Seferian, who has served as general counsel since 2008, will step in as interim director as the search for a permanent replacement continues.

MOCA and director Jeffrey Deitch as an oil-and-water mix

Jeffrey Deitch resigns as head of L.A. Museum of Contemporary Art (Lawrence K. Ho / Los Angeles Times)

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LACMA plans to overhaul its campus

In June, the Los Angeles County Museum of Art formally unveiled a $650-million plan to overhaul the campus with a new design by acclaimed Swiss architect Peter Zumthor. The proposed building, which would require the demolition of much of the existing campus, would have a curvy, amoeba-like shape encased in glass.

LACMA draws up ambitious plans for a $650-million new look (Mel Melcon / Los Angeles Times)

3/6

Walt Disney Concert Hall celebrates its 10th anniversary

In 2003, the Los Angeles Philharmonic unveiled architect Frank Gehry’s Walt Disney Concert Hall. The building celebrated its 10th anniversary this year with a myriad of celebrations and special events. This year also saw the death of Diane Disney Miller, 79, who oversaw her family’s contributions to the hall after her mother, Lillian, died in 1997.

Walt Disney Concert Hall 10th anniversary celebration

Diane Disney Miller, 79, remembered as a supporter of the arts (Kirk McKoy / Los Angeles Times)

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Trove of suspected Nazi-seized artwork discovered in Germany

In November, the revelation of a stash of art believed to have been seized during the Nazi era stunned the international art world. Cornelius Gurlitt, an art dealer in Munich, Germany, was hiding 1,400 paintings, drawings and other works in his cramped apartment. Gurlitt is the son of the prominent Nazi art dealer Hildebrand Gurlitt.

Lift the veil from the Nazi art cache

Hoarder of suspected Nazi-looted art: I won’t ‘give back anything’

(Johannes Simon / Getty Images)

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Banksy fascinates New York

More PR stunt than legitimate art experiment, British street artist Banksy’s month-long “residency” in New York drew numerous fans, in person and online. The salivating media covered his every move, with street-art installations and other creations appearing in all five boroughs.

Banksy watch: A look at the artist’s New York creations

(Jason Szenes / EPA)

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The Detroit Institute of Arts faces uncertainty

Detroit’s bankruptcy has forced its largest art museum to face some unpleasant alternatives, including the possible sale of some of its collection. Museum leaders around the country have condemned the proposal, but the city’s $18 billion in debt means tough choices still lie ahead.

Detroit’s creditors press city to sell artworks in its museum (Carlos Osorio / Associated Press)

By Mike Boehm

Jan. 7, 2014 12:05 AM PT

L.A.’s Museum of Contemporary Art has reached its goal of a $100-million endowment, and museum leaders say they’ll keep their fundraising campaign going with a new objective of $150 million.

A written announcement listed 29 donations from individuals, couples or foundations, all but two of them from board members, their foundations or their families. The campaign also has elicited an unspecified number of anonymous gifts. MOCA provided no further details about the amounts.

TIMELINE: MOCA in flux

Museum leaders also said it’s possible, but not certain, that MOCA facilities will be named in honor of the campaign’s top donors.

“There’s been this tremendous push by committed people who should commit and did commit,” said Maria Bell, who, as co-chair of MOCA’s board with David Johnson since 2009, has helped oversee the museum’s recovery from near financial ruin after the fall 2008 meltdown of global investment markets.

GRAPHIC: MOCA’s ups and downs with Jeffrey Deitch

Bell and other museum leaders said they see the successful campaign as a turning point after five years of financial instability that has led to budget and staffing cuts, including a winnowing of the curatorial staff from eight to the current two through layoffs or resignations.

For the complete story, check back later with Culture Monster.

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